Generational differences in work values – impression or reality? : the case of Czech generations X and Y

Abstract

This article follows the extensive discussion on the existence of inter-generational differences in work values and attempts to fill the gaps in research that has to date been lacking. Generally, research on this topic in the Czech Republic has not been based on relevant data sources or methodological approaches. Most studies are either cross-sectional, do not have a generational perspective, or do not use the concept of work values in their analyses. Using the ISSP 2005 data (N = 323) and 2015 (N = 195), combined with Palmore's design, we address all these issues more comprehensively. Our findings suggest that the lower importance in perceiving job security for Generation Y compared to that of Generation X in 2005 was in fact a small effect of age, since the differences between these generations all but disappeared by 2015. Nevertheless, this effect is particularly present among the unemployed and can be caused by longer-term unemployment. Further results suggest that the importance of having an interesting job in 2015 is slightly higher compared to that of 2005. In the case of the whole sample of respondents, it is not certain whether this is an effect of the period and/or generation; however, for the employed, these differences can be attributed to a period effect. By contrast, for the unemployed, there has been a moderate increase in the importance of flexible hours between 2005 and 2015 due to aging. In other dimensions, such as external values (e.g. money), the value of free time (autonomy) and altruistic values, no statistically significant differences are identified.

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